5 Tips for a Romantic Valentine’s Day on the Lake or Ocean

If you or your sweetheart is a boat enthusiast, there are few more romantic things than a Valentine’s Day on the water with just the two of you. If you know your loved one adores boating, has talked about getting a boat and just hasn’t yet gotten around to it, why not give him a great surprise with an affordable, refurbished boat that benefits one of these charities. You can reveal the surprise on Valentine’s Day, right before taking your new boat out for a romantic spin.

1. Plan for an Evening Date

There’s no other time of day more suited to a Valentine’s Day date than sunset. Plan the date to begin an hour or two before sunset so you have plenty of time to steer the boat to a secluded location, preferably one you’ve scouted beforehand. Watch the sunset from the deck with glasses of wine and move inside the cabin for dinner or have the dinner on the deck. Spend a few hours in the darkness enjoying the moon, and then head back.

2. Pack a Romantic Picnic Dinner

The cornerstone of most any Valentine’s Day date, even one “at sea,” is dinner. Prepare something romantic beforehand that’s easy to pack in a picnic basket, such as:

Fresh fruit

Baguettes

Cold cuts

Cheeses

Wine

If you’re especially adventurous, prepare something like steak or lobster beforehand and heat it on the boat with a hot plate. You could also purchase catering from your sweetheart’s favorite restaurant if you’re not particularly skilled in the kitchen. Don’t forget to pack utensils and think about where on the boat you’re going to eat. Some boats have ample room for a small table and chairs, but others just have benches. Place a blanket or mat down on the floor of the boat to sit on while you dine.

3. Set the Mood

Before your sweetheart visits the dock, in the morning the day of the date, string up mood-setting lights along the boat to turn on once the sun sets. Pick out romantic music — you can choose between slow-tempo music for when you’re eating or gazing or fast-paced music so the two of you can dance on the deck, or try both. Include any songs that have special meaning to you, like songs you’ve danced to before or songs either of you has wanted to play at your wedding. Have an MP3 playlist ready to go, either in a small stereo you set up along your picnic dinner, or wired through your boat’s stereo system.

4. Bring Massage Oils

You don’t have to be a professional masseuse to indulge your sweetheart in a romantic back, shoulder, foot or leg massage. Purchase a set of massage oils and bring a cushioned mat, like a yoga mat, if your boat doesn’t have comfortable seating areas. Warn her to bring or wear a swimsuit ahead of time so she doesn’t ruin her dress.

Learn some basic massage techniques and offer to rub your loved one’s sore spots with the oils by candlelight or in the hours you’re waiting for sunset to start. Play romantic or otherwise relaxing music as you go to work.

5. End the Night With a Stroll

The boat ride is the centerpiece of your romantic date on the water, but it shouldn’t be the only activity you have planned. Finish off the the night with a moonlit stroll along the dock or beach upon your return. Scope out the area beforehand and bring a pocket light in case it gets too dark to see the path clearly. If it’s an especially secluded area and it’s not too windy out, sprinkle rose petals along the way before you even leave the dock to surprise your sweetheart and for an added touch of romance.

CNN reports that Americans spend a total of $18.6 billion a year on Valentine’s Day. If you think that this Valentine’s you’d like to make a big gesture, why not indulge in the boat of you and yours’ dreams. You can make the most memorable and romantic Valentine’s yet, you’ll finally have a boat which you could both continue to enjoy for romantic dates in the future. Don’t waste your money on tangible gifts that will fade with time; invest in a memorable experience.

About the Author: Corinne Wallace is an outdoor living blogger with over twenty years’ boating experience.